T
hey may look a bit like previous
Powerbeats, but the latest incarnation of
these truly wireless buds are unique in
form. They push upwards and into the inner
ear, while the hooks support them from
above. Anyone used to in–ear buds will find
them comfortable and secure.
There are music/call controls and volume
controls on both buds, which is a huge boon
during workouts. This ambidextrous approach
continues with the pairing process. Put one
bud in and press play or talk to Siri, or take
a call, and it’ll work. Take that one out and
put the other in, and it’ll work the same. Put
both earbuds in, and they’ll pair like that and
deliver stereo audio (or dual mono if we’re
talking calls and talking to Siri).
Beats claims nine hours per charge, and
the case means you can get 24 hours of
playback in total. (A five–minute Fast Fuel
option will also give you 1.5 hours of playback
when the battery is low.)
While the noise–excluding, unmovable–yet–
comfortable fit is handy in the gym or running,
they’re not made for use in a pool or open
water. They’re water– and sweat–resistant,
but not intended for swimming.
Prior to the Apple takeover, the Beats
headphone range sounded remarkably
mediocre. That changed with 2017’s noise–
cancelling Studio3 Wireless, which are nowcloser to the likes of Bose’s QuietComfort 35,
and the noticeable audio improvement
continues with the Powerbeats Pro.
In fact, the combination of the way they
fit — blocking out a lot of external noise and
preventing variations in sound quality caused
by buds shifting in your ear — and the driver
technology used means the Powerbeats Pro
sound as good in all conditions as any in–ear
headphones at this price that we’ve tried.
Beats by Dre headphones also used to
be notorious for over–reliance on bass.
Powerbeats Pro certainly don’t lack bottom
end, but there’s much more going on here.
They sound epic with rock, hip–hop, pop and
electronic music, but there’s enough subtlety
to carry off jazz, classical and acoustic too.
Any negatives? There’s a tiny bit of boom
at times when running hard, but all buds do
that and Powerbeats Pro do it less than most.
For voice calls, Siri use, and the kind of
all–day wearability that a lot of people look
for from buds, Powerbeats Pro are good.
However, their deep fit means they can’t
be used in quite the same way as AirPods.
The sound–blocking fit means you aren’t left
with much situational awareness, but you can
opt to use one at a time.
THE BOTTOM LINE. The best workout
headphones on the market. They crumple all
rivals, including AirPods. DUNCAN BELLBeats Powerbeats Pro
Some of the best headphones you can buy
$249.95 From Apple, apple.com
Features Wireless, Bluetooth, Siri, Fast Fuel charge, sweat– and water–resistant,
four ear–tip sizesBEATS
POWERBEATS PRO
Great fit
Brilliant sound
Good connectivity
Expensive
AWESOME
Reviews
40 AUG 2019 maclife.com